A common potential cause of polyuria/polydipsia and mild anemia in a 10-year-old cocker spaniel is:

Chronic renal failure is indeed a common potential cause of polyuria (increased urination) and polydipsia (increased thirst) in older dogs, including breeds like the cocker spaniel. In chronic renal failure, the kidneys lose their ability to concentrate urine effectively, leading to excessive urination. As a result, the dog compensates by drinking more water to make up for the loss of fluids, resulting in polydipsia.

Additionally, chronic renal failure can lead to mild anemia. This occurs because the kidneys are responsible not only for filtering waste but also for producing erythropoietin, a hormone that stimulates red blood cell production in the bone marrow. As kidney function declines in chronic renal failure, erythropoietin production decreases, leading to a lower red blood cell count and mild anemia.

This combination of symptoms—polyuria, polydipsia, and mild anemia—is quite typical in the context of kidney disease, particularly in older dogs. While other conditions like diabetes mellitus can also cause increased thirst and urination, the presence of mild anemia aligns more closely with renal failure in this scenario. Understanding these associations helps in recognizing the clinical manifestations of chronic renal failure and its impact on overall health in aging dogs.